Buoy for oyster-beds



(No ModeL) T. FAG'AN & O. W. HAND. BUOY FOR OYSTER BEDS.

No. 421,686. Patented Feb. 18, 1890.-

' UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

TABOR FAGAN AND CONSTANT W. HAND, OF PORT NORRIS, NEW JERSEY.

BUOY FOR OYSTER-BEDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 421,686, dated February 18, 1890.

Application filed October 9, 1889.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, TABOR FAGAN and CONSTANT W. HAND, citizens of the United States, residing at Port Norris, in the county of Cumberland and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Buoys for Oyster-Beds, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

It is well known that oyster-beds have been indicated by stakes, which in time rot and loosen or become moss-covered, so as to be unfit to be removed and reused.

Our invention is designed to remedy the above-named defects; and it consists in forming a stake of a buoy which is connected with an anchor, the buoy being constructed of cork, a securing-bolt, and attaching eyes, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

It also consists in placing on the buoy an indicating-mark, the same registering with the name or mark of the person or persons authorized to occupy the bed, thus preventing piracy of the oysters.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of buoys for oyster-beds embodying our invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section of one of the buoys on an enlarged scale.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a buoy which is: connected by a chain B with an anchor O. In lieu of the chain B any other suitable connection may be employed, the chain being preferred, owing to its flexibility and its formation of metal. The buoy is constructed of slabs or pieces of cork placed one on the other and having passed vertically through the same an eyebolt D, the threaded end whereof receives a nut E, whereby the slabs may be firmly clamped together, and said Serial No. 326,385. (No model.)

nut is provided with an eye F, the same in the present case being at the top of the buoy, it being seen that the chain 13 is connected. with the eye G of the bolt D. Interposed between the eye G and nut E and the ends of the buoy are Washers H for preventing crushing in'of the centers of said ends.

It will be seen that we provide an efficient buoy, the same being adapted to render long service, it being also strengthened in the direction of its length by the bolt D; hence possesses great durability. It may be removed and reapplied or reused as desired, the upper eye providing ready means for a boat-hook taking hold of the same for withdrawing it and returning it to the water. 7 It may also be enlarged or reduced in size by the addition or removal of slabs, and when in position may be readily observed, and if sailed over will not be injured.

On the buoy is an indicating name, mark, or character, which in the present case is No. 6, which, as will be seen, registers with the number on the sloop or boat shown in the drawings, thus indicating that the proper dredges occupy bed No. 6, said bed being staked by as many buoys as desired.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, isa A buoy consisting of a series of slabs of buoyant material, an eyebolt passing through said slabs, a nut with an eye on the threaded end of the bolt, and washers on the bolt between the eyes and the slabs, said parts being combined substantially as described.

TABOR FAGAN. CONSTANT W. HAND.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsHEIM, WM. 0. WIEDERsHEIM. 

